Cartridge Hall of Fame: 45-70 Government Ammunition | MidwayUSA

Published on April 15, 2010
Duration: 1:31

The .45-70 Government cartridge, inducted into MidwayUSA's Cartridge Hall of Fame, was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873 for the Springfield Model 1873 rifle. Originally a medium-power cartridge with 70 grains of black powder and a .45 caliber bullet, it's known for its straight-wall, rimmed design. Today, it remains popular for large game hunting and cowboy action shooting, with bullet weights ranging from 300 to 550 grains.

Quick Summary

The .45-70 Government cartridge, adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873 for the Springfield Model 1873 rifle, is named for its .45 caliber bullet and 70 grains of original black powder charge. It remains a relevant cartridge for large game hunting and cowboy action shooting.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to .45-70 Government
  2. 00:13History and U.S. Army Adoption
  3. 00:30Naming and Design Explained
  4. 00:45Versatility in Firearms
  5. 01:01Modern Usage and Hunting

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the .45-70 Government cartridge adopted by the U.S. Army?

The .45-70 Government cartridge was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873, primarily for use with the Springfield Model 1873 rifle.

What does the name '.45-70 Government' signify?

The name follows a convention where '.45' indicates the bullet caliber and '70' refers to the approximate grains of black powder used in its original loading.

What are the modern uses for the .45-70 Government cartridge?

Today, the .45-70 Government is popular for hunting large game in North America and is widely used in long-range cowboy action shooting competitions.

What types of firearms have used the .45-70 Government cartridge?

Historically, it was used in the Springfield Model 1873 rifle, but it has also seen use in lever-action rifles, double rifles, and even Gatling guns.

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